By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named Cargo Design Group as this week’s member spotlight company. Get to know their story in SEMA’s interview with company owner Terry Baillie below.
SEMA: Tell us the story of your company. How did it start?
Terry Baillie: To support my Jeep lifestyle, I needed the main area of the rear storage area of my ’10 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door to be readily free and unencumbered by any small clutter or free-standing storage devices (i.e., milk crates or similar), so the only logical area to have a storage device installed was over the wheels. In what seemed like a never-ending search, and many purchases for the right storage solution, I ultimately tried almost everyone on the market, but they all fell short in one way or another. I decided to create my own and is why I started Cargo Design Group and created Baillie Box.
SEMA: What was your company’s breakthrough moment?
TB: While in the development stages of creating what ultimately became Baillie Box, I was experimenting with many materials (fiberglass, various metals, etc.) and discovered corrugated polypropylene plastic sheeting and this was the game changer. It was lightweight, pliable, durable, waterproof and reasonably priced with many suppliers and manufacturers working with the material.
SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and projects that you are working on.
TB: This year is the official launch of Baillie Box, and while most of our energy will be put into promoting all the features and benefits of this item, we are also in the final stages of engineering and prototyping a few other complementary storage devices for the Jeep Wrangler with the Baillie Box Max. Baillie Box has 1 cu. ft. of storage space, and Baillie Box Max has 1.75 cu. ft. of storage moments away from production.
SEMA: Tell us about a product that you are proud of.
TB: I am incredibly proud of everything that went into the creation of Baillie Box, from concept to design to a final marketable product.
SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?
TB: The automotive aftermarket is an enormous space with an incredible number of opportunities and is ever evolving. You should be able to find an area that will excite you and meet your interest and future growth. However, as with any career, commit 100% to doing your best at whatever you are doing and you will be rewarded. Don’t half-ass it!
Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates.